This Glossary of Railroad Lingo is from:
Railroad Avenue, by Freeman H. Hubbard, 1945
* Designates Contributed by BW Allen...BNSF Locomotive Engineer
# Designates Contributed by FW Smoter...Web Master Johnstown Flood
Page
AGESeniority, length of service
AIR MONKEYAir-brake repairman
* ALL DARKIE, NO SPARKY(Hi-Ball on a roll by)
ALLEYClear track in railroad yard
ANCHOR THEMSet hand brakes on still cars; the
opposite is release anchors
ARMSTRONGOld-style equipment operated by muscular
effort, such as hand-brakes, some turntables, engines without
automatic stokers, etc.
ARTISTMan who is particularly adept, usually with
prefix such as brake, pin, speed, etc.
ASHCATLocomotive fireman
BACK TO THE FARMLaid off on account of slack business.
When a man is discharged he is given six months twice a year
BAD ORDERCrippled car or locomotive, often called
cripple. Must be marked at night by a blue light when men
are working around it
BAIL IT INFeed the locomotive firebox
BAKE HEADLocomotive fireman. Also called bell ringer,
blackie, and many other names scattered throughout this glossary
BALING-WIRE MECHANICA man of little mechanical
ability
BALL OF FIREFast run
BALLASTTurkey or chicken dressing
BALLAST SCORCHERSpeedy engineer
BAND WAGONPay car or pay train from which wages
were handed out to railroad employees
BANJOFireman's shovel; old-style banjo-shaped
signal
BAREFOOTCar or engine without brakes. (Many locomotives
built in the 1860's and 1870's were not equipped with brakes except
on the tank)
BARNLocomotive roundhouse, so-called from the
building in which streetcars are housed
BAT THE STACK OFF OF HERMake fast time, work an
engine at full stroke
BATTING 'EM OUTUsed generally by switchmen when
a yard engine is switching a string of cars
BATTLESHIPLarge freight engine or interurban car,
or a coal car. Also a formidable female, such as the landlady
or a henpecked man's wife
BEANERYRailroad eating house. Beanery queen
is a waitress
BEANSMeet orders; lunch period
BEAT 'ER ON THE BACKMake fast time; work an engine
at full stroke
BEEHIVERailroad yard office
BELL RINGERLocomotive fireman
BEND THE IRONChange the position of the rust
a switch. Also called bend or bend the rail
BIG BOYSSpecial trains for officials
BIG EEngineer, so called from the large initial
on membership buttons of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
BIG FOURThe four operating Brotherhoods: Brotherhood
of Railroad Trainmen, Order of Railway Conductors, Brotherhood
of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, and Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers
BIG HOLEEmergency application of air-brake valve,
causing a quick stop. Big-holing her, the same as wiping
the clock, is making an emergency stop
BIG HOOKWrecking crane
BIG OConductor; so named from first initial in
Order of Railway Conductors. Sometimes called big ox and
less complimentary terms
BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAINSHobo's paradise, as described
in song by Harry K. McClintock. (See Indian Valley Line)
BINDERSHand brakes
BINDLE STIFF or BLANKET STIFFHobo who totes a
blanket and uses it wherever night finds him. (Bindle is
a corruption of "bundle")
BIRD CAGEBrakeman's or switchman's lantern
BLACK DIAMONDSCompany coal. Diamond cracker
is a locomotive fireman
BLACK HOLETunnel
BLACK ONESRailway Express refrigerator or boxcars
having no interior illumination pressed into mail service during
the Christmas rush
BLACK SNAKESolid train of loaded coal cars
BLACKBALLEDblack-listed, boycotted
BLACKJACKSFifty-ton Santa Fe coal cars painted
black
BLAZERHot journal with packings afire
BLEEDDrain air from. Bleeder is valve by
which air is bled from auxiliary reservoir of a car
BLIND BAGGAGEHobo riding head end of baggage car
next to tender, where no door is placed; commonly called riding
the blinds
BLIZZARD LIGHTSOriginally the lights on either
side of the headlight that served in emergency when the oil-burning
headlight blew out. Now they indicate the train is nonschedule
or extra
BLOODOld-time engine built by Manchester Locomotive
Works. Mr. Aretas Blood being the builder's name
BLOW 'ER DOWNReduce water in a locomotive boiler
when carrying too much
BLOW SMOKEBrag
BLOW UPUse the blower to increase draft on the
fire and thereby raise the steam pressure in the boiler. Also
quit a job suddenly
'BOHobo. 'Bo chaser is freight brakeman
or railroad policeman
BOARDFixed signal regulating railroad traffic,
usually referred to as slow board., order board., clear board
(for clear tracks) or red board (stop). Do not confuse
this with extra board or spare board, colloquially
known as slow board or starvation list, usually
containing names of qualified train or enginemen not in regular
active service who are called to work in emergencies. These names
are listed in order of seniority, the man hired most recently
being the last one called to service
BOBTAILSwitch engine
BOILER ASCENSIONBoiler explosion
BOILER HEADERMan riding in engine cab
BOILER WASHA high-water engineer
BOOK OF RULESExamination based on facts in rulebook
BOOKKEEPERTrainman who makes out reports; flagman
BOOTLEGGERTrain that runs over more than one railroad
BOOMERDrifter who went from one railroad job to
another, staying but a short time on each job or each road. This
term dates back to pioneer days when men followed boom camps.
The opposite is home guard. Boomers should not be confused
with tramps, although they occasionally became tramps. Boomers
were railroad workers often in big demand because of their
wide experience, sometimes blackballed because their tenure of
stay was uncertain. Their common practice was to follow the "rushes"-that
is, to apply for seasonal jobs when and where they were most needed,
when the movement of strawberry crops, watermelons, grain, etc.,
was making the railroads temporarily short-handed. There are virtually
no boomers in North America today. When men are needed
for seasonal jobs they are called from the extra board
BOUNCERCaboose
BOWLING ALLEYHand-fired coal-burning locomotive.
(A fireman throwing in the lumps of coal goes through motions
that resemble bowling)
BOXCAR TOURISTHobo
BRAIN PLATETrainman's cap or hat badge
BRAINS or THE BRAINSConductor; sometimes called
brainless wonder, a term also applied to any train or engineman
or official who does things his fellows consider queer
BRAKE CLUBThree-foot hickory stick used by freight
trainmen to tighten hand brakes. Sometimes called sap or staff
of ignorance
BRASSA babbitt-lined blank of bronze that forms
the bearing upon which the car rests. To brass a car is
to replace one of those bearings
BRASS BUTTONSPassenger conductor on railroad or
streetcar line
BRASS COLLAR or BRASS HATRailroad official. Term
may have originated from gold-braided collar of conductor's uniform
and brass plate on his cap
BRASS POUNDERTelegraph operator
BREEZEService air
BRIDGE HOGBridge and building carpenter of the
old school antedating steel and concrete
BROKEN KNUCKLESRailroad sleeping quarters
BROWNIESDemerits. This system is traced back to
George R. Brown, general superintendent of the Fall Brook Railway
(now part of the New York Central) in 1885. He thought the then
current practice of suspending men for breaking rules was unfair
to their families and substituted a system of demerit marks. Too
many demerits in a given period resulted in dismissal. The Brown
system, with many variations, has since been widely adopted by
the railroad industry. A superintendent's private car is called
brownie box or brownie wagon
BUCK THE BOARDWorking the extra board. (See
board)
BUCKLE THE RUBBERSConnect air, steam, or signal
hose
BUGTelegraph instrument or trainman's or switchman's
light, which is also called bug torch. Bug may also be
a three-wheeled electric truck that carries mail and baggage around
terminals
BUG LINETelephone connection between engine house
and yard or telegraph office
BUG SLINGERSwitchman or brakeman
BUGGYCaboose; rarely applied to other cars
BULLRailroad policeman. Also called flatfoot
or gumshoe, but the distinctive railroad terms are
cinder dick and 'bo chaser
BULL PENCrew room
BULLGINESteam locomotive
BULLNOSEFront drawbar of a locomotive
BUMPObtain another man's position by exercising
seniority. When a crew is deprived of its assignment, as when
a train is removed from the timetable, its members select the
jobs they wish from those held by others with less whiskers
BUMPERPost at end of spur track, placed there
to stop rolling stock from running onto the ground
BUNCH OF THIEVESWrecking crew
BUST UP A CUTTo separate the cars in a train,
removing some that have reached their destination, assigning others
to through trains, etc.
BUTTERFLYNote thrown (or handed) from train by
an official to a section foreman or other employee, so called
because it may flutter along the track, although it is usually
weighted down when thrown from a car
BUZZARDS' ROOSTYard office
CABOOSE BOUNCE, CABOOSE HOPEarly term for a train
composed only of an engine and caboose
CAGECaboose
CALLEROne whose duty is to summon train or engine
crews or announce trains
CALLIOPESteam locomotive
CAMEL or CAMELBACKEngine with control cab built
over middle of boiler, suggesting camel's hump. Also called Mother
Hubbard type
CANTank car
CANNEDTaken out of service
CAPTAINConductor; often called skipper. This
title dates from Civil War days when some railroads were run by
the Army and the conductor was in many cases a captain
CAR-CATCHERRear brakeman
CAR KNOCKERCar inspector or car repairer-from
the early custom of tapping the wheels to detect flaws. Also called
car whacker; and car toad (because he squats while
inspecting), car tink, and car tonk
CAR-SEAL HAWKRailroad policeman
CARDCredentials showing Brotherhood or Union membership
CARHOUSE CARCovered cement car
CARRY A WHITE FEATHERShow a plume of steam over
the safety valves of the engine
CARRYING GREENTrain whose engine displays green
flags by day or green lights by night to indicate that a second
section is following closely. Carrying white in the same
manner signifies an extra train
CARRYING THE BANNERFlagging. Also wearing ostentatious
Brotherhood emblems, frequently done by 'bos in working the main
stem for a handout
CARRYING THE MAILBringing train orders
CASEY JONESAny locomotive engineer, especially
a fast one. Name derived from John Luther (Casey) Jones
CATWALKPlank walk on top of boxcars; sometimes
called the deck from which comes the word deckorate
CHAIN GANGCrew assigned to pool service, working
first in, first out
CHAMBERMAIDMachinist in roundhouse
CHARIOTCaboose, or general manager's car
CHASING THE REDFlagman going back with red flag
or light to protect his train
CHECKERA company spy, particularly one checking
up on loss of materials or of the receipts of an agent or conductor
CHERRY PICKERSwitchman, so called because of red
lights on switch stands. Also any railroad man who is always figuring
on the best jobs and sidestepping undesirable ones (based on the
old allusion, "Life is a bowl of cherries")
CHEW CINDERSEngines do this when reversed while
running and while working quite a bit of steam
CHIP PIESNarrow-gauge cars
CINDER CRUNCHERSwitchman or flagman. Cinder
skipper is yard clerk
CINDER DICKRailroad policeman or detective
CINDER SNAPPERPassenger who rides open platforms
on observation car
CIRCUSRailroad
CLAWClinker hook used by fireman
CLEARANCE CARDAuthority to use main line
CLOCKSteam gauge. (See wiping the clock; don't
confuse with Dutch clock). Also fare register
CLOWNSwitchman or yard brakeman. Clown wagon is
caboose
CLUBSame as brake club. Club winder is
switchman or brakeman. A brakeman's club was usually his only
weapon of defense against hoboes
COAL HEAVERFireman, sometimes called stoker
COCK-LOFTCupola of a caboose. Also called crow's
nest
COFFEERespite period enjoyed by baggagemen while
awaiting arrival of the next train. Also called spot
COFFEEPOTLittle, old, steam locomotive
COLLAR AND ELBOW JOINTBoardinghouse. (There isn't
too much room at dinner table)
COLOR-BLINDEmployee who can't distinguish between
his own money and the company's
COMPANY BIBLEBook of rules
COMPANY JEWELRYTrainman's hat, badge, and switch
keys
COMPANY NOTCH or WALL STREET NOTCHForward corner
of the reverse gear quadrant. It is called the company notch
because an engine exerts full pulling power when worked with
a full stroke
CONDUCERConductor
CONSISTContents or equipment of a train. Report
form sent ahead so yardmaster can make plans for switching the
train. The report is usually dropped off to an operator; this
is dropping the consist
COOL A SPINDLECool a hotbox by replacing the brass
or putting water on the bearing
COON ITCrawl
CORNEREDWhen a car, not in the clear on a siding,
is struck by a train or engine
CORNFIELD MEETHead-on collision or one that is
narrowly averted
COULDN'T PULL A SETTING HEN OFF HER NESTDerogatory
description of old-fashioned locomotive
COUNTING THE TIESReducing speed
COW CAGEStock car. Also called cow crate
COWCATCHERPilot. The old term was discarded by
railroad officials, probably because it was a butt for jokesters.
You've often heard about the passenger on a slow local train complaining
to the conductor, "I don't understand why you have the cowcatcher
on the front of the engine. This train can never overtake
a cow. But if you'd attach it to the rear of the train it might
at least discourage cows from climbing into the last car and annoying
the passengers"
CRADLEGondola or other open-top car
CRIBCaboose
CRIPPLESee bad order
CROAKERCompany doctor
CROWNING HIMCoupling a caboose on a freight train
when it is made up
CRUMB BOSSMan in charge of camp cars
CRUMMYCaboose. Also called crum box, crib and
many other names. Innumerable poems have been written about "the
little red caboose behind the train"
CUPOLAObservation tower on caboose
CUSHIONSPassenger cars. Cushion rider may
be either a passenger or member of passenger-train crew. (See
varnished cars)
CUTSeveral cars attached to an engine or coupled
together by themselves. Also that part of the right-of-way which
is excavated out of a hill or mountain instead of running up over
it or being tunneled through it
CUT THE BOARDLay off the most recently hired men
on the extra list. (See board)
DANCING ON THE CARPETCalled to an official's office
for investigation or discipline
DEADBEAT is defined by Webster as "one who
persistently fails to pay his debts or way." The word was
coined in the late 1800's when railroad workers noticed that loaded
freight cars made a different beat over the track-joints than
cars that weren't carrying a load. The empty cars made a "dead
beat" which meant they weren't paying their way. By the beginning
of the 20th century "deadbeat" came to encompassed people
who failed to carry their share of the load also.
DEAD IRON and LIVE IRONThe two sets of tracks
on a scale
DEAD MAN'S HOLEMethod of righting an overturned
engine or car. A six-foot hole is dug about forty feet from the
engine or car, long enough to hold a large solid-oak plank. A
trench is then dug up to the engine and heavy ropes laid in it,
with a four-sheave block, or pulley, at the lower end of the engine
and a three-sheave block at the top of the boiler. Chains are
fastened to the underside of the engine and hooked to the three-sheave
block. The free end of the rope is then hooked to the drawbar
of a road engine. The hole is filled-packed hard to hold the "dead
man" down against the coming pull. When the engine moves
up the track she pulls ropes over the top of the boiler of the
overturned locomotive on the chains that are fastened to the lower
part, rolling the engine over sidewise and onto her wheels again
DEAD MAN'S THROTTLEThrottle that requires pressure
of operator's hand or foot to prevent power shut-off and application
of brakes. An engine so equipped would stop instantly if the operator
fell dead. Also called dead man's button
DEADHEADEmployee riding on a pass; any nonpaying
passenger. Also fireman's derisive term for head brakeman who
rides engine cab. Also a locomotive being hauled "dead"
on a train
DECKFront part of engine cab. Also catwalk
on roofs of boxcars
DECKORATEGet out on top of freight cars to set
hand brakes or receive or transmit signals. Derived from deck
DEHORNEDDemoted or discharged
DETAINER or DELAYERTrain dispatcher
DIAMONDRailroad crossover. Black diamonds is
coal
DIAMOND CRACKER or DIAMOND PUSHERLocomotive fireman
* DICK SCRATCHERDispatcher
DIE GAMEStall on a hill
DING-DONGGas or gas-electric coach, usually used
on small roads or branch lines not important enough to support
regular trains; name derived from sound of its bell. Sometimes
called doodlebug
DINGERConductor (man who rings the bell)
DINKYSwitch engine without tender, used around
back shop and roundhouse, or any small locomotive. Alsoa four-wheel
trolleycar
DIPLOMAClearance or service letter; fake service
letter
DIRTY CARStorage car containing a varied assortment
of mail and parcels that demand extra work in separating
DISHWASHERSEngine wipers at roundhouse
DITCHThat part of the right-of-way that is lower
than the roadbed. A derailed train is "in the ditch"
DOGCATCHERSCrew sent out to relieve another that
has been outlawed-that is, overtaken on the road by the
sixteen-hour law, which is variously known as dog law,
hog law, and pure-food law
DOGHOUSECaboose or its cupola
DONEGANOld car, with wheels removed, used as residence
or office. Originated about 1900, when a Jersey Central carpenter
and two foremen, all named Donegan, occupied three shacks in the
same vicinity. People were directed to the Donegans so often that
the shacks themselves came to be known by that name. The name
stuck, even after the men had passed on and the shacks had been
replaced by converted old cars
DONKEYDerisive term for section man; small auxiliary
engine
DOODLEBUGRail motorcar used by section men, linemen,
etc. Also called ding dong
DOPEOrder, official instructions, explanation.
Also a composition for cooling hot journals
DOPE ITUse compound in the water to keep it from
boiling when working an engine hard
DOPE MONKEYCar inspector
DOUBLEIn going up a hill, to cut the train in
half and take each section up separately
DOUBLE-HEADERTrain hauled by two engines
DOUSE THE GLIMExtinguish a lantern, especially
by a sudden upward movement
DRAGHeavy train of "dead" freight; any
slow freight train, as contrasted with manifest or hotshot
DRAWBAR FLAGGINGFlagman leaning against the drawbar
on the caboose, or standing near the caboose, to protect the rear
end of his train, instead of going back "a sufficient distance"
as rules require. Such a man is taking a chance, due maybe to
laziness, exhaustion, severe cold, fear of the train leaving without
him, etc.
DRIFTING THROTTLERunning with steam throttle cracked
open to keep air and dust from being sucked into steam cylinders
DRILL CREWYard crew. (See yard)
DRINKWater for locomotive
DRONE CAGEPrivate car
DROPSwitching movement in which cars are cut off
from an engine and allowed to coast to their places. (See hump)
DROP A LITTLE RUN-FASTOil the engine
DROP 'ER DOWNPull reverse lever forward. Drop
'er in the corner means to make fast time, figuratively dropping
the Johnson bar in one corner of the cab
DROPPERSwitchman riding a car on a hump
DROWNING IT OUTCooling an overheated journal
DRUMMERYard conductor
DRUNKARDLate Saturday-night passenger train
DUCATSPassenger conductor's hat checks
DUDEPassenger conductor
DUDE WRANGLERPassenger brakeman
DUMMYEmployees' train. Dummy locomotive is
a switcher type having the boiler and running gear entirely housed,
used occasionally for service in public streets
DUST-RAISERFireman (shoveling coal into firebox)
DUSTING HER OUTPutting sand through the firedoor
of an oil burner while working the engine hard; this cuts out
the soot in the flues and makes the locomotive steam. Also known
as giving the old girl a dose of salts
DUTCH CLOCKSpeed recorder
DUTCH DROPRarely used method of bringing a car
onto the main line from a spur. The engine heads into the spur,
couples head-on to the car, and backs out. When the car is moving
fast enough the engine is cut off, speeds up to get back on the
main line before the car, then moves forward ahead of the junction
between the main line and the spur so the car rolls out behind
the engine
DYNAMITERCar on which defective mechanism sends
the brakes into full emergency when only a service application
is made by the engineer. Also, a quick-action triple valve
EAGLE-EYELocomotive engineer
EASY SIGNSignal indicating the train is to move
slowly
END MANRear brakeman on freight train
ELECTRIC OWLNight operator
ELEPHANT CARSpecial car coupled behind locomotive
to accommodate head brakeman
EXTRA BOARDSee board
EYETrackside signal
FAMILY DISTURBERPay car or pay train
FANBlower on a locomotive boiler
FIELDClassification yard
FIELDER or FIELD MANYard brakeman
FIGUREHEADTimekeeper
FIRE BOYLocomotive fireman
FIRST READERConductor's train book
FISH WAGONGas-electric car or other motorcar equipped
with an air horn (which sounds like a fishmonger's horn)
FISHTAILSemaphore blade, so called from its peculiar
shape
FISTTelegraph operator's handwriting. This script,
in the days before telephones, typewriters, and teletypes, was
characterized by its swiftness, its bold flowing curves which
connected one word with another, and its legibility. Ops were
proud of their penmanship
FIXED MANSwitchman in a hump yard assigned to
one certain post from which he rides cars being humped
FIXED SIGNALDerisive term for a student brakeman
standing on a boxcar with his lamp out and a cinder in his eye
FLAGAssumed name. Many a boomer worked
under a flag when his own name was black-listed
FLATFlatcar. Also called car with the top blowed
off
FLAT WHEELCar wheel that has flat spots on the
tread. Also applied to an employee who limps
FLIMSYTrain order. (Standard practice is to issue
these on tissue paper to facilitate the making of carbon copies)
FLIPTo board a moving train. The word accurately
suggests the motion used
FLOATERSame as boomer
FLY LIGHTMiss a meal. Boomers often did
that; hoboes still do
FLYING SWITCHSwitching technique in which the
engine pulls away from a car or cars she has started rolling,
permitting them to be switched onto a track other than that taken
by the engine. The switch is thrown instantly after the engine
has passed it and just before the cars reach it. This procedure,
common in bygone days, is now frowned upon by officials
FOGSteam
FOOTBOARDThe step on the rear and front ends of
switch or freight engines. Many casualties were caused in the
"good old days" by switchmen missing these steps on
dark slippery nights
FOOTBOARD YARD MASTERConductor who acts as yardmaster
in a small yard
FOREIGN CARCar running over any railroad other
than one that owns it
FOUNTAINThat part of a locomotive where steam
issues from the boiler and flows into pipes for lubrication, injection,
etc.
FREEZE A HOB or A BLAZERCool a heated journal
FREEZERRefrigerator car. Also reefer or
riff
FROGImplement for rerailing cars or engines. Also
an X-shaped plate where two tracks cross
FUSEERed flare used for flagging purposes. Its
sharp point is driven into the right-of-way and no following train
may pass as long as it is burning, although on some roads it is
permissible to stop, extinguish the fusee, and proceed
with caution in automatic block-signal limits
GALLOPERLocomotive, the iron horse
GALLOPING GOOSEA shaky section car
GALVANIZERCar inspector
GANDY DANCERTrack laborer. Name may have originated
from the gander-like tremulations of a man tamping ties, or from
the old Gandy Manufacturing Company of Chicago, which made tamping
bars, claw bars, picks, and shovels
GANGWAYSpace between the rear cab post of a locomotive
and her tender
GARDENSee yard
GAS HOUSEYard office
GATESwitch
GAY CATTramp held in contempt by fellow vagrants
because he is willing to work if a job comes along
GENERALYardmaster, abbreviated Y.M.
GET THE ROCKING CHAIRRetire on a pension
GET YOUR HEAD CUT INBoomer slang for "wise
up"
GIRL or OLD GIRLAffectionate term for steam engine.
The locomotive, like the sailing ship, is often called "she"
instead of "it"
GIVE HER THE GRITUse sand
GLASS CARSPassenger cars
GLIMSwitchman's or trainman's lantern
GLIMMERLocomotive headlight
GLORYString of empty cars. Also death, especially
by accident
GLORY HUNTERReckless, fast-running engineer
GLORY ROADSentimental term for railroad
GOATYard engine. (See yard)
GOAT FEEDERYard fireman
GO HIGHSame as deckorate
G.M. General manager. G.Y.M. is general yardmaster
GODS OF IRONHuge, powerful locomotives
GONGondola, or steel-sided, flat-bottom coal car
GONE FISHINGLaid off
GOO-GOO EYELocomotive with two firedoors
GOOSETo make an emergency stop
GOOSE HERReverse a locomotive that is under headway
GO-TO-HELL SIGNALSignal given with violent motion
of hand or lantern
GRAB IRONSteel bar attached to cars and engines
as a hand bold
GRABBERConductor of a passenger train. (He grabs
tickets)
GRAMOPHONEObsolete term for telephone
GRASS WAGONTourist car. (Tourists like scenery)
GRASSHOPPEROld type of locomotive with vertical
boiler and cylinders
GRAVE-DIGGERSection man
GRAVEYARDSiding occupied by obsolete and disused
engines and cars; scrap pile
GRAVEYARD WATCH12.01 A.M. to 8 A.M., or any midnight
shift, so called because that shift includes the quietest hours
of the day
GRAZING TICKETMeal book
GREASE MONKEYCar oiler
GREASE THE PIGOil the engine. (See hog)
GREASY SPOONRailroad eating house. Bill of fare
is colloquially known as switch list, fork is hook, butter
is grease pot, hotcakes are blind gaskets, and beans
are torpedoes
GREENBACKSFrogs for rerailing engines or cars
GREENBALL FREIGHTFruit or vegetables
GREEN EYEClear signal. (At the time Cy Warman
wrote his celebrated poem, "I Hope the Lights Are White,"
the clear signal was white and green meant caution. This was changed
years ago because of the fact that when a red or green signal
lens broke or fell out it exposed a white, thus giving a clear
board to engineers even though the signal itself was set to
stop or go slow)
GREETINGS FROM THE DSTrain orders from the dispatcher
GRIEVERSpokesman on grievance committee; Brotherhood
or Union representative at an official investigation
GRINDShay-geared engine
GROUNDHOGBrakeman, yardmaster, or switch engine
GRUNTLocomotive engineer. Traveling grunt
is road foreman of engines (hogs). Grunt may also be a
lineman's ground helper; grunting is working as a lineman's
helper
GUNTorpedo, part of trainman's equipment; it is
placed on the track as a signal to the engineer. Also the injector
on the locomotive that forces water from tank to boiler. To gun
means to control air-brake system from rear of train
GUNBOATLarge steel car
GUTAir hose. Guts is drawbar
HACKCaboose
HALFPeriod of two weeks
HAMPoor telegrapher or student
HAND BOMBER or HAND GRENADEEngine without automatic
stoker, which is hand-fired
HAND-ONTrain order or company mail caught with
the hoop or without stopping
HANGING UP THE CLOCKBoomer term that meant hocking
your railroad watch
HARNESSPassenger trainman's uniform
HASH HOUSERailroad restaurant or lunch stand
HATIneffectual railroad man. (All he uses his
head for is a hat rack)
HAYSleep on the job; any kind of sleep. Caboose
was sometimes called hay wagon
HAY BURNERHand oil lantern, inspection torch.
Also a horse used in railroad or streetcar service
HEAD-END REVENUEMoney which railroads receive
for hauling mail, express, baggage, newspapers, and milk in cans,
usually transported in cars nearest the locomotive, these commodities
or shipments being known as head-end traffic
HEAD INTake a sidetrack when meeting an opposing
train
HEAD MANFront brakeman on a freight train who
rides the engine cab. Also called head pin
HEARSECaboose
HEELCars on end of tracks with brakes applied
HERDERMan who couples engines and takes them off
upon arrival and departure of trains
HIGHBALLSignal made by waving hand or lamp in
a high, wide semicircle, meaning "Come ahead" or "Leave
town" or "Pick up full speed." Verb highball
or phrase 'ball the jack means to make a fast run.
Word highball originated from old-time ball signal on post,
raised aloft by pulley when track was clear. A very few of these
are still in service, in New England and elsewhere
HIGHBALL ARTISTA locomotive engineer known for
fast running
HIGH-DADDYFlying switch
HIGH IRONMain line or high-speed track (which
is laid with heavier rail than that used on unimportant branches
or spurs)
HIGH LINERMain-line fast passenger train
HIGH-WHEELERPassenger engine or fast passenger
train. Also highball artist
HIKERA lineman who "hikes sticks" instead
of prosaically climbing poles
HIT 'ERWork an engine harder. (Probably a variation
of "hit the ball," which means "Get busy-no more
fooling!")
HIT THE GRIT or GRAVELFall off a car or locomotive
or get kicked off
HOBOTramp. Term is said to have originated on
Burlington Route as a corruption of "Hello, boy!" which
construction workers used in greeting one another
HOGAny large locomotive, usually freight. An engineer
may be called a hogger, hoghead, hogmaster, hoggineer, hog
jockey, hog eye, grunt, pig-mauler, etc. Some few engineers
object to such designations as disrespectful, which they rarely
are. For meaning of hog law see dogcatchers. Hoghead
is said to have originated on the Denver & Rio Grande
in 1887, being used to label a brakeman's caricature of an engineer
HOLDING HER AGAINST THE BRASSRunning electric
car at full speed
HOLEPassing track where one train pulls in to
meet another
HOME GUARDEmployee who stays with one railroad,
as contrasted with boomer. A homesteader is a boomer
who gets married and settles down
HOOKWrecking crane or auxiliary
HOOK 'ER UP AND PULL HER TAILTo set the reverse
lever up on the quadrant and pull the throttle well out for high
speed
HOPPERSteel-sided car with a bottom that
opens to allow unloading of coal, gravel, etc.
HOPTOADDerail
HORSE 'ER OVERReverse the engine. This is done
by compressed air on modern locomotives, but in early days, manually
operated reversing equipment required considerable jockeying to
reverse an engine while in motion
HOSE COUPLERBrakeman who handles trains by himself
with the road engine around a big passenger terminal
HOSTLERAny employee (usually a fireman) who services
engines, especially at division points and terminals. Also called
ashpit engineer
HOTHaving plenty of steam pressure (applied to
locomotives)
HOT-FOOTEREngineer or conductor in switching service
who is always in a hurry
HOT JEWELSame as hotbox
HOT-WATER BOTTLEElesco feed water heater
HOT WORKERBoilermaker who repairs leaks in the
firebox or flue sheet while there is pressure in the boiler
HOTBOXOverheated journal or bearing. Also called
hub. This was a frequent cause of delay in the old days
but is virtually nonexistent on trains that are completely equipped
with ball-bearings. Trainmen are sometimes called hotbox detectors
HOTSHOTFast train; frequently a freight made up
of merchandise and perishables. Often called a manifest or
redball run
HOW MANY EMS HAVE YOU GOT? How many thousand pounds
of tonnage is your engine pulling? (M stands for 1,000)
HUMPArtificial knoll at end of classification
yard over which cars are pushed so that they can roll on their
own momentum to separate tracks. (See drop.) Also the summit
of a hill division or the top of a prominent grade. Boomers
generally referred to the Continental Divide as the Hump
HUMPBACK JOBLocal freight run. (Conductor spends
much time in caboose bending over his wheel reports)
HUTBrakeman's shelter just back of the coal bunkers
on the tender tank of engines operating through Moffat Tunnel.
May also refer to caboose, locomotive cab, switchman's shanty,
or crossing watchman's shelter
IDLERAn unloaded flatcar placed before or after
a car from which oversize machinery, pipe, or other material projects
INA trainman who is at the home terminal and off
duty is in
IN THE CLEARA train is in the clear when
it has passed over a switch and frog so far that another train
can pass without damage
IN THE COLORTrain standing in the signal block
waiting for a clear board
IN THE DITCHWrecked or derailed
IN THE HOLEOn a siding. (See hole.) Also
in the lower berth of a Pullman, as contrasted with on the
tot, in the upper berth
INDIAN VALLEY LINEAn imaginary railroad "at
the end of the rainbow," on which you could always find a
good job and ideal working conditions. (Does not refer to the
former twenty-one-mile railroad of that name between Paxton and
Engels, Calif.) Boomers resigning or being fired would
say they were going to the Indian Valley. The term is sometimes
used to mean death or the railroader's Heaven. (See Big Rock
Candy Mountains)
IND ICATORSIlluminated signs on the engine and
caboose that display the number of the train
IRON or RAILTrack. Single iron means single
track
IRON HORSEAcademic slang for locomotive
IRON SKULLBoilermaker. (Jim Jeffries, one-time
champion prize fighter, worked as an iron skull for years)
JACKLocomotive. (A term often confused with the
lifting device, hence seldom used)
JACKPOTMiscellaneous assortment of mail and parcels
piled in the aisle of a baggage car and requiring removal before
the mail in the stalls can be "worked"
JAILHOUSE SPUDSWaffled potatoes
JAM BUSTERAssistant yardmaster
JAM NUTSDoughnuts
JANNEYTo couple; derived from the Janney automatic
coupler
JAWBONE SHACKSwitch shanty
JAY RODClinker hook
JERK A DRINKTake water from track pan without
stopping train. From this came the word jerkwater, which
usually means a locality serving only to supply water to the engines
of passing trains; a Place other than a regular stop, hence of
minor importance as jerkwater town, jerkwater college,
etc.
JERK-BYSee flying switch
JERK SOUPSame as jerk a drink
JERRYSection worker; sometimes applied to other
laborers
JEWELJournal brass
JIGGERFull tonnage of "dead" freight
JIMMIESFour-wheel coal or ore cars
JITNEYFour-wheel electric truck that carries baggage
around inside a terminal. Also unregulated private automobile
that carried passengers on public highways for 5-cent fare in
direct competition with trolley cars
JOHNSON BARReverse lever on a locomotive. (See
drop 'er down)
JOIN THE BIRDSJump from moving engine or car,
usually when a wreck is imminent
JOINTA length of rail, generally 33 or 39 feet.
Riding to a joint is bringing cars together so that they
couple
JOKERIn dependent or locomotive brake, part of
E-T (engine-train) equipment
JUGGLERMember of way-freight crew who loads and
unloads LCL freight at station stops
JUGGLING THE CIRCLEMissing a train-order hoop
JUICEElectricity. Juice fan is one who
makes a hobby out of electric railways (juice lines)
JUNK PILEOld worn-out locomotive that is still
in service.
KANGAROO COURTAn official hearing or investigation,
so named because it may be held wherever most convenient, anywhere
along the road, jumping around like a kangaroo, to act on main-line
mixups or other urgent problems
KEELEYWater can for hot journals or bearings.
Nickname derived from "Keeley cure" for liquor habit
KETTLEAny small locomotive, especially an old,
leaky one. Also called teakettle and coffeepot
KEYTelegraph instrument
KICKSee drop
KICKERTriple valve in defective order, which throws
air brakes into emergency when only a service application is intended,
or sometimes by a bump of the train
KINGFreight conductor or yardmaster. King snipe
is foreman of track gang. King pin is conductor
KITCHENCaboose; engine cab. Firebox is kitchen
stove
* KNOCK HER IN THE HEADSlow Down
KNOCKOUTSame as bump
KNOWLEDGE BOXYardmaster's office; president of
the road
LADDERMain track of yard from which individual
tracks lead off. Also called a lead. (See yard)
LAPLANDERPassenger jostled into someone else's
lap in crowded car
LAST CALL, LAST TERMINAL, etcDeath
LAY-BYPassing track, sidetrack. Layed out
is delayed
LAY OVERTime spent waiting for connection with
other train
LCLLess than carload lots of freight
LETTERSService letters given to men who resign
or are discharged. Applicants for railroad jobs are usually asked
to present letters proving previous employment. In the
old days, when these were too unfavorable, many boomers used faked
letters or would work under a flag on somebody else's
certificates
LEVER JERKERInterlocker lever man
LIBRARYCupola of caboose. Trainman occupying it
was sometimes known as a librarian
LIFT TRANSPORTATIONCollect tickets
LIGHT ENGINEAn engine moving outside the yard
without cars attached
LIGHTNING SLINGERTelegraph operator
LINERPassenger train
LINK AND PINOld-time type of coupler; used to
denote oldfashioned methods of railroading
LIZARD SCORCHERDining-car chef
LOADSLoaded freight cars
LOCAL LOADA truckload of mail in sacks and parcels
sent from the storage car direct to a car on a local train, containing
mail for towns along the route of the train
LOUSE CAGECaboose
LUNAR WHITEThe color of white used on all switches
except on main line
LUNCH HOOKSYour two hands
LUNGDrawbar or air hose
LUNG DOCTORLocomotive engineer who pulls out drawbars.
Also lung specialist
MADHOUSEEngine foreman; scene of unusual activity
or confusion MAIN IRON-Main track. Also called main stem MAIN
PIN-An official MAKE A JOINT-Couple cars MANIFEST-Same as hotshot
MARKERS-Signals on rear of train, flags by day and lamps by
night MASTER MANIAC-Master mechanic, often abbreviated M.M. Oil
is called master mechanic's blood
MASTER MINDAn official
MATCHING DIALSComparing time
MAULWork an 'engine with full stroke and full
throttle
MEAT RUNFast run of perishable freight, hotshot
MEET ORDERTrain order specifying a definite location
where two or more trains will meet on a single track, one on a
siding, the others on the high iron
MERRY-GO-ROUNDTurntable
MIDDLE MAN, MIDDLE SWINGSecond brakeman on freight
train
MIKEMikado-type engine (2-8-2), so named because
first of this type were built for Imperial Railways of Japan.
(Because of the war with Japan, some railroads rechristened this
type MacArthur)
MILEAGE HOGEngineer or conductor, paid on mileage
basis, who uses his seniority to the limit in getting good runs,
which younger men resent
MILK TRUCKLarge hand truck with high cast-iron
wheels used to transfer milk cans around in a terminal
MILLSteam locomotive, or typewriter
MIXED LOADTruckload of mail sacks and parcels
for many destinations sent from storage car to the yard
(an outside platform) for further separation before forwarding
MONKEYWhen a crew has been on duty sixteen hours
and is caught out on the road, the monkey gets them and
they are required by ICC rules to tie -up until a new crew
comes. (See dogcatchers)
MONKEY MONEYThe pass of a passenger who is riding
free
MONKEY MOTIONWalschaert or Baker valve gear on
locomotive. Monkey house is caboose. Monkey suit is
passenger trainman's uniform or any other smart-looking uniform.
Monkey tail is back-up hose
MOONLIGHT MECHANICNight roundhouse foreman
MOPPING OFFRefers to escaping steam
MOTHER HUBBARDSee Camelback
MOTORElectric locomotive
MOUNTAIN PAYOvertime
MOVING DIRTFireman shoveling coal into firebox
MOVING SPIRITTrain dispatcher, more often called
DS
MTYSEmpty cars
MUCKERSExcavators in construction work
MUD CHICKENSSurveyor. Mudhop is yard clerk,
mudshop his office
MUD SUCKERA nonlifting injector
MUDHENA saturated locomotive, one that is not
superheated
MULE SKINNERDriver of mule cart
MUSIC MASTERPaymaster
MUTT AND JEFF PUMPDenver & Rio Grande locomotive
with big air pump on right and small one on left
MUZZLE LOADERHand-fired locomotive
NEWS BUTCHERPeddler who sells magazines, candy,
fruit, 'etc., in trains. Usually employed nowadays by Union News
Co. Thomas A. Edison, the inventor, was a news butcher in
his youth and became deaf when a conductor boxed his ears for
accidentally starting a fire while experimenting in a baggage
car near Smith Creek, Mich.
NICKEL GRABBERStreetcar conductor
NIGGERHEADTurret at top of locomotive boiler,
over crown sheet, from which saturated steam is taken for operation
of pumps, stoker, injectors, and headlight turbine
19 ORDERTrain order that does not have to be signed
for. Operator can hand it on a hoop or delivery fork as the train
slows down. (See 31 order)
99Failure to protect your train or to flag it
NO-BILLNonunion or nonbrotherhood railroad worker.
Also called nonair
NOSE ONCouple on with head end of engine
NOSEBAGLunch carried to work. Put on the nosebag
means to eat a meal
NUMBER DUMMYYard clerk or car clerk; also called
number grabber
NUT SPLITTER or NUT BUSTERMachinist
OILCANTank car
OLD GIRLAffectionate term for steam engine
OLD HANDExperienced railroader. Also called old
head
* OLD HEADLots of Seniority
OLD MANSuperintendent or general manager
OLE HOSSSalvage warehouse, or freight on hand
ON THE ADVERTISEDAccording to schedule; right
on time. Often called on the card (timecard) and sometimes
on the cat hop
ON THE CARPETCommoner version of dancing on
the carpet
ON THE GROUNDOn the ties, as a derailed train
ON THE SPOTSee spot
OPTelegraph operator
OPEN-AIR NAVIGATORHobo riding freight on top
OPEN THE GATESwitch a train onto or off a siding.
Close the gate means to close the switch after the train
has passed it
O.R.C. Conductor. (See big O)
ORDER BOARDSee board
OSOn (train) sheet; to report a train by to dispatcher
OUTWhen a trainman is at a point other than his
home terminal, either on or off duty, he is out
OUTLAWEDSee dogcatchers
OVER THE KNOLLGetting up the hill
OVERLAPWhere two block signals control the same
stretch of track OWL-Streetcar or train that runs late at night;
almost anything having to do with night
PADDLESemaphore signal
PADDLE WHEELNarrow-gauge locomotive with driving
boxes outside of the wheels
PAIR OF PLIERSConductor's punch
PALACECaboose
PAPER CARBaggage car for the transportation of
newspapers exclusively
PAPERWEIGHTRailroad clerk, office worker. Also
called pencil pusher
PARLORCaboose. Parlor man or parlor
maid is hind brakeman or flagman on freight train
PASSING THE CROAKERBeing examined by company doctor
PEAKED ENDHead end of train. Also pointed or
sharp end
PEANUT ROASTERAny small steam engine
PECKTwenty minutes allowed for lunch
PEDDLETo set out freight cars
PEDDLERLocal way-freight train
PELICAN PONDPlace outside a roundhouse (down South)
where there is much ooze and slime, caused by the fact that many
locomotives are run thirty days without the boilers being washed
out. The boilers are kept clean by blowing them out with blowoff
cocks
PENNSYLVANIACoal
PERSUADERBlower (for locomotive fire)
PETTICOATPortion of the exhaust stack that guides
exhausted steam into the stack proper. When this becomes displaced,
the spent steam goes back through the flues, cutting off the draft
from the fire
PIE-CARDMeal ticket. Also called grazing ticket
PIGLocomotive. Pig-mauler is locomotive
engineer; pigpen locomotive roundhouse. (See hog)
PIKERailroad
PIN AHEAD AND PICK UP TWO BEHIND ONECut off the
engine, pick up three cars from siding, put two on the train,
and set the first one back on the siding
PIN FOR HOMEGo home for the day
PINHEADBrakeman. Pin-lifter is yard brakeman.
Pinner is a switchman that follows. Pin-puller is
a switchman that cuts off cars from a train. The old-style link-and-pin
coupler (now rarely used) was called Lincoln pin
PINKCaution card or rush telegram
PLANTInterlocking system
PLUG"One-horse" passenger train. Also
throttle of old-style locomotive; hence engineers were known as
plug-pullers. Plugging her means using the reverse lever
as a brake instead of the air. Local passenger trains are sometimes
referred to as Plug runs
PLUSH RUNPassenger train
POCATELLO YARDMASTERDerisive term for boomers,
all of whom presumably claimed to have held, at some time,
the tough job of night yardmaster at Pocatello, Idaho
POLETo run light. (See light)
POLE PINSuperintendent of telegraph
POPTo let safety valve on boiler release, causing
waste of steam, making a loud noise, and, when engine is working
hard, raising water in boiler, thereby causing locomotive to work
water
POP CARGasoline car or speeder, used by
section men, linemen, etc.; so called because of the put-put noise
of its motor exhaust
POPSRetainers
POSITIVE BLOCKLocomotive engineer
POSSUM BELLYToolbox under a caboose or under some
wrecking cars
POUND HERWork a locomotive to its full capacity
POUNDING THEIR EARSSleeping, making hay
PUDPick up and delivery service
PULLERSwitch engine hauling cars from one yard
to another at the same terminal. Also the operator of an electric
truck that transfers baggage and mail around a terminal
PULL FREIGHTTo leave or to give up a job
PULL THE AIRSet brakes by opening conductor's
valve or angle cock
PULL THE CALF'S TAILYank the whistle cord
PULL THE PINUncouple a car by pulling up the coupling
pin. A boomer expression meaning to resign or quit a job
PURE-FOOD LAWSee dogcatchers
PUSHERExtra engine on rear of train, usually placed
there to assist in climbing a grade
PUSSYFOOTERRailroad policeman
PUT 'ER ONMake a reduction in air in the train's
braking system. Put 'er all on means apply emergency brake,
more commonly described as big-holing her
PUT ON THE NOSEBAGEat a meal
QUILLWhistle (term used especially in the South)
QUILLINGPersonalized technique of blowing a locomotive
whistle, applicable only in the days before the whistles became
standardized
RABBITA derail; an arrangement for preventing
serious wrecks by sidetracking runaway trains, cars, or locomotives
on a downgrade. Unlike regular sidetracks, the derail ends relatively
abruptly on flat trackless land instead of curving back onto the
main line. The term rabbit is applied to this device because
of the timidity involved
RACE TRACKStraight and flat stretch of track upon
which an engineer can safely make unusually high speed. Also parallel
stretches of track of two competing railroads upon which rival
trains race one another (contrary to company rules but much to
the delight of enginemen, trainmen, and passengers, and perhaps
to the secret delight of some officials)
RAG-WAVERFlagman
RAILAny railroad employee
RAILFANAnyone who makes a hobby of railroading
RAP THE STACKGive your locomotive a wide-open
throttle, make more speed. Rapper is an engineer who works
his engine too hard
RATTLE HER HOCKSGet speed out of an engine
RATTLERFreight train
RAWHIDEROfficial, or any employee, who is especially
hard on men or equipment, or both, with which he works. A rawhider,
or slave driver, delights in causing someone to do more than
his share of work. Running too fast when picking up a man on the
footboard, or making a quick stop just short of him when he is
expecting to step on, so that he has to walk back, are two ways
it is done; but there are almost as many ways of rawhiding
as there are different situations
REAL ESTATEPoor coal mixed with dirt or slag.
When mixed with sand it is called seashore
RED BOARDStop signal
REDBALL, BALL OF FIREFast freight train,
REDCAPStation porter. Term coined about 1900 by
George H. Daniels, New York Central publicist
RED EYESame as red board; also liquor
RED ONIONEating house or sleeping quarters for
railroad men
REEFER or RIFFRefrigerator car
REPTILESee snake
RETAINERSmall valve located near brake wheel for
drawing off and holding air on cars. (Retainers often figure
prominently in true tales and fiction stories about runaway cars
on trains)
RIDIN' 'EM HIGHTraveling on tops of boxcars
RIDIN' THE RODSAn old-time hobo practice, now
virtually obsolete. The hobo would place a board across truss
rods under a car and ride on it. This was very dangerous even
in pleasant weather, and the possibility was ever present that
you might doze, get careless, become too cramped, or lose your
nerve-and roll under the wheels
RIDING THE POINTRiding a locomotive, point
referring to shape of pilot
RIGHT-HAND SIDEEngineer's side of cab (on nearly
all North American roads). Left-hand side is fireman's side. When
a fireman is promoted he is set up to the right-hand side
RINGMASTERYardmaster
RIPRAPLoose pieces of heavy stone or masonry used
in some places to protect roadbeds from water erosion
RIP-TRACKMinor repair track or car-repair department.
RIP means repair
RIVET BUSTERBoilermaker
ROAD HOGAny large motor vehicle on a highway,
especially intercity trailer trucks and busses that cut into railroad
freight and passenger revenue
ROOFEDCaught in close clearance
ROOF GARDENMallet-type locomotive or any helper
engine on a mountain job. Sometimes called sacred ox
ROUGHNECKFreight brakeman
RUBBERNECK CARObservation car
RULE G"The use of intoxicants or narcotics
is prohibited"one of twelve general rules in standard
code adopted by Association of American Railroads, based upon
previous regulations made by individual companies. Countless thousands
of railroad men, especially boomers, have been discharged
for violation of Rule G; not because of railroads' objection
to liquor itself but because a man under the influence of liquor
is not to be trusted in a job involving human lives and property
RUNThe train to which a man is assigned is his
run
RUN-AROUNDIf it is a man's turn to work and he
is not called, he may claim pay for the work he missed. He has
been given the run-around
RUN-INA collision; an argument or fight
RUN LIGHTFor an engine to run on the tracks without
any cars
RUNNERLocomotive engineer
RUNTDwarf signal
RUST or STREAK O' RUSTRailroad
RUST PILEOld locomotive
RUSTLING THE BUMSSearching a freight train for
hobos. In bygone days it was common practice for trainmen to collect
money from freight-riding 'bos, often at the rate of a dollar
a division
SADDLEFirst stop of freight car, under the lowest
grab iron
SANDHOGLaborer who works in a caisson tunneling
under a river, boring either a railroad tunnel, subway, or highway
tunnel
SAPSame as brake club; also called the
staff of ignorance. To set hand brakes is to sap up some
binders
SAWBONESCompany doctor
SAW BYSlow complicated operation whereby one train
passes another on a single-track railroad when the other is on
a siding too short to hold the entire train. Saw by is
applied to any move through switches or through connecting switches
that is necessitated by one train passing another
SCABNonunion workman; also car not equipped with automatic
air system. (See nonair)
SCIZZOR-BILLUncomplimentary term referring to
yard or road brakemen and students in train service
SCOOPFireman's shovel. Also the step on front
and rear ends of switch engines
SCOOTShuttle train
SCRAP PILEWorn-out locomotive that is still in
service
SEAT HOGPassenger who monopolizes more than one
seat in a car or station waiting room while others are standing.
Such pests usually spread luggage, packages, or lunch over adjacent
seats
SEASHORESand used in sand dome. Also applied to
coal that is mixed with sand
SECRET WORKSAutomatic air-brake application. Also
the draft timbers and drawbar of a car, when extracted by force.
If only the drawbar is pulled out, you say, "We got a lung,"
but if the draft timbers comewith it, you say, "We got the
whole damn secret works"
SENIORITY GRABBERRailroad employee who is glad
when someone above him dies, gets killed, is fired, or resigns,
so he can move up the seniority list to a better job
SEPARATIONThe sorting of mail sacks and parcels within
the storage car before transferring to trucks
SERVICE APPLICATIONGradual speed reduction, as
contrasted with emergency stop caused by wiping the clock
SETTING UPLoading a baggage car with mail and
parcels according to a prearranged plan to facilitate rapid unloading
at various stations along the line
SETUPFour to six hand trucks placed in formation
beside the door of a storage car to facilitate the separation
of the mail and parcels being unloaded. Each truck is loaded with
matter to be transferred to other trains or to the R.P.O. (Railway
Post Office) terminal office
SHACKBrakeman, occupant of caboose. Shacks
master is a conductor SHAKE 'EM UP-Switching
SHAKING THE TRAINPutting on air brakes in emergency
SHANTYCaboose
SHINERBrakeman's or switchman's lantern
SHINING TIMEStarting time (probably from old Negro
spiritual "Rise and Shine")
SHOO-FLYTemporary track, usually built around
a flooded area, a wreck, or other obstacle; sometimes built merely
to facilitate a rerailing
SHORT FLAGGINGFlagman not far enough from his
train to protect it. (See drawbar flagging)
SHORT LOADSCars consigned to points between division
points and set out on sidings at their destinations. Also called
shorts
SHORT-TIME CREWCrew working overtime but not yet
affected by the sixteen-hour law. (See dogcatchers)
SHUFFLE THE DECKSwitch cars onto house tracks
at every station you pass on your run
SHUNTING BOILERSwitch engine
SIDE-DOOR PULLMANBoxcar used by hobos in stealing
rides
SKATEShoe placed on rail in hump yard to stop
cars with defective brakes
SKIN YOUR EYEEngineer's warning to man on left
side of cab when approaching curve
SKIPPERConductor
SKYROCKETSRed-hot cinders from smokestack
SLAVE DRIVERYardmaster. Also any rawhider
SLING MORSEWork as telegraph operator
SLIPS, CAR OR TRAIN OFCar or train of bananas
SLOW BOARDSee board
SLUGHeavy fire in locomotive firebox
SLUGSA shipment of magazines, catalogues, or automobile-license
plates in small mail sacks weighing approximately 100 pounds each
SMART ALECKPassenger conductor
SMOKE or SMOKE AGENTLocomotive fireman. Smoker
is engine or firebox. Smoking 'em or running on
smoke orders is a dangerous method, now obsolete, of running
a train from one station or siding to another without orders from
the dispatcher. You moved cautiously, continually watching for
the smoke of any train that might be approaching you on the same
track
SNAKESwitchman, so named from the large serpentine
letter S on membership pins of the Switchman's Union of North
America. Sometimes called reptile or serpent
SNAKEHEADA rail that comes loose from the ties
and pierces the floor of a car; a fairly common accident
with the strap-iron rails of a century ago
SNAPPush or pull with another engine. Snapper
is the engine that does the pulling
SNIPETrack laborer. His boss is a king snipe
SNOOZERPullman sleeping car
SNUFF DIPPERSCoal-burning engines that burn lignite
(which, on the Missouri Pacific at least, is the same color as
snuff)
SOAKSaturated locomotive
SODA JERKERLocomotive fireman
SOFT BELLIESWooden frame cars
SOFT-DIAMOND SPECIALCoal train
SOFT PLUGFusible plug in crown sheet of locomotive
that is supposed to drop when water gets below top of sheet
SOLID CARA completely filled storage car containing
sixty feet of mail and parcels, equal to a 100 per cent load
SOLID TRACKTrack full of cars
SPARPole used to shove cars into the clear when
switching. (See stake)
SPEED GAUGERLocomotive engineer
SPEEDERSame as pop car
SPEEDYCallboy
SPIKE A TORCHThrow a fusee
SPOTTo place a car in a designated position. Also
sleep, rest, or lunch period on company time. On the spot means
an opportunity for railroad men to "chew the rag" or
swap experiences. Unlike the same underworld term, on the spot
has no sinister implication in railroad slang
SPOTBOARDGuide used by section men in surfacing
or ballasting track in order to obtain an even bed.
SPOTTERSpy, company man assigned to snoop around
and check on employees
SQUEEZERSCar-retarding system used in some railroad
yards
SQUIRRELINGClimbing a car
STACK O' RUSTA locomotive that has seen better
days
STAKEPole used in dangerous and now rare method
of switching. A cut of cars was shoved by a stake attached
to the car immediately in front of the engine. This method was
supposed to be superior to the ordinary method of "batting
them out" because there was less wear and tear on drawbars
and less damage to freight; but the human casualties that resulted
gave more than one yard the nickname "slaughterhouse."
Another meaning of stake is the money a boomer saved on
a job so he could resign and continue eating regularly while looking
for another job
STAKE DRIVERAny engineering-department man
STALLSpace inside a mail or baggage car containing
mail or parcels consigned to a certain destination and separated
from other shipments by removable steel posts
STARGAZERBrakeman who fails to see signals
STARVATION DIETSee board
STEMTrack or right-of-way
STEM-WINDERClimax type of geared locomotive. Also
applied to trolley car without brakes because of the motion of
its brake handle
STICKStaff used on certain stretches of track
to control the block. It is carried by engine crews from one station
to another. Now rare
STIFF BUGGYSpecially designed four-wheel truck
used for transferring coffins and rough boxes inside a station
STINGERBrakeman. Derived from initial B(ee) of
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, or perhaps from some brakemen's
habit of arousing hobos by applying a brake club to the soles
of their shoes
STINK BUGGYBus
STINKERHotbox
STIRRUPFirst step of freight car, under the lowest
grab iron
STOCK PENYard office
STOCKHOLDERAny employee who is always looking
out for the company's interests
STOPPER PULLERMember of the crew that follows
the engine in switching
STORAGE CARBaggage car or (in rush periods) Railway
Express car containing a mixed shipment of parcels and mail sacks
consigned to a certain terminal for sorting and rerouting to various
destinations via other trains
STRAW BOSSForeman of small gang or acting foreman
STRAW-HAT BOYSRailroad men who work only in pleasant
weather
STRAWBERRY PATCHRear end of caboose by night;
also railroad yard studded with red lights
STRETCH 'EM OUTTake out slack in couplings and
drawbars of train
STRINGSeveral cars coupled together; also a telegraph
wire
STRUGGLE FOR LIFEExistence in railroad boardinghouse
STUDE TALLOWStudent fireman
STUDENTLearner in either telegraph, train, or
engine service; an apprentice
SUCK IT BYMake a flying switch
SUGARSand
SUPERSuperintendent
SWELLHEADConductor or locomotive engineer
SWING A BUGMake a good job of braking. (See bug)
SWING MANSame as middle man
SWITCH LISTBill of fare at railroad eating house
SWITCH MONKEYSwitchman
TAIL OVER HER BACKEngine with full head of steam,
with plume resembling a squirrel's tail from her safety valve
TAKE THE RUBBER OUT OF THEMDisconnect the air
hoses on a train
TAKING YOUR MINUTESStopping for lunch
TALLOWPOTLocomotive fireman, so called from melted
tallow used to lubricate valves and shine the engine
TANKLocomotive tender. Tanker is tank car
used in hauling oil, water, milk, chemicals or some other liquid
TEAKETTLESee kettle
TEASE THE BRUTEFollow the engine
TELLTALESAny device that serves as a warning.
Specifically the row of strips hanging down a short distance in
front of a tunnel or low bridge to inform trainmen who are riding
car tops that they'd better duck
* TEMPLE OF KNOWLEGETerm for caboose
TERMINALRailway Post Office unit, usually at or
near the railroad station, where mail is removed from sacks, sorted,
and forwarded to its ultimate destination
TERMINAL LOADA shipment of mail consigned to a
certain R.P.O. terminal office for sorting and reshipment in other
sacks
THE BISCUITS HANG HIGHThere's a scarcity of food
handouts in that locality
THIRTYTelegraphic term for "that's all-no
more"
31 ORDERTrain order that must be signed for; the
train must stop to pick it up. (See 19 order)
THOUSAND-MILERBlack satin or blue percale shirt
worn by railroaders, expected to last 1,000 miles between washings.
(The usual basis of a day's work was about 10 0 miles, so two
shirts could easily last from one pay day to the next)
THREE-BAGGERTrain pushed or pulled by three engines.
(No doubt originated by a baseball fan)
THROTTLE-JERKEREngineer
* THROTTLE GODLoc.Engineer)
THROW AWAY THE DIAMONDSTerm applied to locomotive
fireman missing the firedoor with a shovelful of coal and spilling
some
* THROW OUT THE ANCHORDone for the Day
TIE 'EM DOWNSet handbrakes
TIE ONCouple on. Tie 'em together is to
couple cars
TIE UPStop for a meal or for rest
TIERPile of mail sacks or parcels occupying the
full width at each end of a car
TIMKENIZEDEquipped with Timken roller bearings
TIN LIZARDStreamlined train
TING-A-LINGSmall engine with "tinny"
bell
TISSUETrain order. (See flimsy)
TOADDerail. (See rabbit)
TOEPATH or TOWPATHRunning board of locomotive
or catwalk on top of boxcars, or that part of railroad
embankment lying between end of ties and shoulders of fill
TONKCar repairer
TONNAGE HOUNDTrainmaster or other official who
insists upon longer or heavier trains than the crew and motive
power can handle efficiently
TOP DRESSER DRAWERUpper bunk in caboose
TOWER BUFFRailfan so zealous that he disregards
signs such as "Private," "No Admittance" and
"Stay Out" on interlocking towers and other railroad
structures
TRAIN LINEPipe that carries compressed air to
operate air brakes
TRAMPIFIEDThe way a boomer looked after
being out of work a long time. His clothes were "ragged as
a barrel of sauerkraut" and he needed a "dime's worth
of decency" (shave)
TRAVELING CARDCard given by a railroad Brotherhood
to a man in search of employment. Also an empty slip bill
TRAVELING GRUNTRoad foreman of engines, traveling
engineer. Sometimes called traveling man
TRICKShift, hours of duty
TRIMMEREngine working in hump yard that
goes down into yard and picks out misdirected cars and
shoves them to clear. (See yard and hump)
TWO-WHEELERTwo-wheeled hand truck for transferring
baggage and mail around in a station
UNCLE SAMRailway Post Office clerk
UNDER THE TABLEJust as a man who "can't take his
liquor" is sometimes actually under the table, so,
figuratively, is a telegraph operator when messages are being
sent to him faster than he can receive
UNDERGROUND HOGChief engineer
UNLOADGet off train hurriedly
VARNISHPassenger train. Also called varnished
shot, varnished job, varnished boxes, string of varnish, varnished
wagons, etc. These nicknames are rarely applied to modern
streamliners
VASELINEOil
* VOODOO BARGEUpdated Heavy,Slow Freight
WABASHTo hit cars going into adjacent tracks.
(See cornered) Also refers to the officially frowned-upon
practice of slowing up for a stop signal at a crossing with another
railroad instead of stopping. The engineer would look up and down
to make sure everything is safe, then start up again, having saved
several minutes by not stopping entirely. Wabash may also
mean a heavy fire in the locomotive firebox
WAGONRailroad car. (English term)
WALK THE DOGWheel a freight so fast as to make
cars sway from side to side
WALK UP AGAINST THE GUNAscend a steep grade with
the injector on
WALL STREET NOTCHForward corner of reverse lever quadrant
in engine cab (more commonly called company notch). Called
Wall Street notch because engine pays dividends when heaviness
of train requires engine to be worked that way
WASHOUTStop signal, waved violently by using both
arms and swinging them in downward arc by day, or swinging lamp
in wide low semicircle across tracks at night
WATCH YOUR PINSBe careful around stacks of ties,
rails, etc.
WAY CARCaboose, or car of local freight
WEARING THE BLUEDelayed by car inspectors. A blue
flag or blue light is placed on cars thus delayed and being worked
on
WEARING THE GREENCarrying green signals. When
trains run in more than one section, all except the last must
display two green flags
WEED BENDERRailroaders' derisive term for cowboy,
other such terms being hay shaker, clover picker, and plow
jockey. Commonest term for cowboy is cowpuncher, which
is of railroad origin. Cowboys riding stock trains prod the cattle
* WEED WEASELCompany Official Spying on Crews
WESTINGHOUSEAir brake, also called windjammer
WET MULE IN THE FIREBOXBad job of firing a locomotive
WHALE BELLYSteel car, or type of coal car with
drop bottom. Also called sow belly
WHEEL 'EMLet a train run without braking. Wheeling
means carrying or hauling at good speed; also called highballing.
You say wheeling the berries when you mean hauling
the berry crop at high speed
WHEEL MONKEYCar inspector
WHEN DO YOU SHINE? What time were you called for?
WHISKERSQuite a bit of seniority
WHISTLE OUT A FLAGEngineer blows one long and
three short blasts for the brakeman to protect rear of train
WHITE FEATHERPlume of steam over safety valves,
indicating high boiler pressure
WHITE RIBBONSWhite flags (an extra train)
WHITEWASHMilk
WIDEN ON HEROpen the throttle, increase speed
WIGWAGA grade-crossing signal
WILLIEWaybill for loaded car
WINDAir brakes
WING HERSet brakes on moving train
WISE GUYStation agent
WOLF or LONE WOLFNonbrotherhood man
WORKING A CARUnloading a storage mail car
WORKING MAILMail in sacks and pouches consigned
to R.P.O. (Railway Post Office) cars to be "worked"
or sorted in transit
WORK WATERSome old-time engineers preferred to
work the water (operate the injector and watch the water
glass or gauge cocks). On most roads the fireman now works
the water
WRECKING CREWRelief crew. Derogatory term derived
from the difficulty regular men sometimes experience in rearranging
a car after it has been used by relief men
WRONG IRONMain track on which the current of traffic
is in the opposite direction
WYETracks running off the main line or lead,
forming a letter Y; used for turning cars and engines where
no urntable is available
XEmpty car
XXXSame as bad order
YARDSystem of tracks for making up trains or storing
cars. (Boomer's version: "System of rust surrounded
y fence and inhabited by a dumb bunch of natives who will not
let a train in or out.") Also called garden and ield.
Yard geese are yard switchmen. Y.M. is yardmaster. Yard
goat is switching engine
ZOO KEEPERGate tender at passenger station
ZULUEmigrant family with its household goods and farm equipment
traveling by rail; sometimes included even livestock crowded into the same boxcar.
Zulu can mean only the car, or the car and all its contents. This ethod of travel
was not uncommon in homesteading days on Western prairies. Origin of term is
obscure. May have some connection with the fact that British homesteaders in
Africa fled in overfilled farm wagons before Zulu marauders
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